[MALAYSIA] MBC’s Idol Radio Live Brings K-pop’s Hottest Energy to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur was treated to a night of dynamic K-pop performances as MBC’s highly anticipated Idol Radio Live finally made its way to Malaysia on October 3, 2026, bringing together KISS OF LIFE, 82MAJOR and WHIB at Inspire Live Arena.

Marking the first time MBC’s Idol Radio has held a live event in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, the show brought together three groups known for their commanding stage presence, energetic performances and ability to get a crowd on their feet. Adding an extra local touch to the star-studded lineup was Malaysian singer Ismail Izzani, who joined the event as a special guest.

With three acts that each excel in delivering high-energy stages — from WHIB’s sharp choreography and 82MAJOR’s playful charisma to KISS OF LIFE’s bold and sensual performances — the lineup proved to be a particularly fitting one for a Malaysian crowd ready to turn up the heat.

Belle and Julie Kick Things Off with a Surprise

Before the first group even took the stage, KISS OF LIFE’s Belle and Julie, who also served as the evening’s MCs, wasted no time in getting the audience excited.

The duo opened the show with a surprise cover of Doja Cat’s Kiss Me More, immediately drawing loud cheers from the crowd. The sultry track proved to be a natural fit for Belle and Julie, complementing their distinctive vocal tones while playing perfectly into KISS OF LIFE’s bold, girl-crush image.

Following the performance, the pair officially introduced themselves as the hosts for the night and teased the performances to come. True to their MC duties, Belle and Julie kept the excitement going by rallying the audience to cheer for WHIB, 82MAJOR and, of course, their own group.

And with the crowd already fired up, it was time for WHIB to take over the stage.

WHIB Starts the Night on a High

Kicking off the main performances was WHIB, who came out swinging with WHO’S THE NEXT and BANG OUT.

With sharp, knife-like choreography and powerful execution that matched the hard-hitting beats of both tracks, the group immediately established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Their opening stages showcased the kind of precision and energy that made it easy to see why WHIB is a group K-pop fans should have on their radar.

During their first ment, the members introduced themselves individually and expressed their excitement at returning to Malaysia after some time away. UGeon also earned laughs and cheers from the audience when he revealed that satay was the local food he was most eager to try, a particularly relatable choice for a Malaysian crowd.

WHIB then kept the momentum going with MOTTO and their debut track BANG!, which brought out the group’s youthful and confident charm before turning things up once again with ROCK THE NATION, an intense track that led to a fierce performance. 

However, the group’s set was not all about explosive energy. WHIB switched gears for PAGES OF US, allowing their vocals to take centre stage, before closing their set with ELEVATE.

With its dreamy instrumental, intimate atmosphere and seamless blend of vocals and choreography, ELEVATE served as a fitting farewell to WHIB’s set, proving that the group could command the stage just as effectively with subtlety as they could with sheer power.

82MAJOR Turns Up the ‘Mantap’ Energy

Next up was 82MAJOR, a group already familiar to the Malaysian crowd, and they wasted no time showing why. Opening with TROPHY, an upbeat track brimming with the group’s signature confidence and charisma, and Like Fire, which brought a more powerful and dynamic edge to their performance, the group was met with enthusiastic screams from the audience.

They then launched into TAKEOVER and Need That Bass, two energetic tracks driven by catchy rhythms and infectious beats that kept the momentum going. With their playful stage presence and lively delivery, 82MAJOR effortlessly turned the arena into a party, making it almost impossible for the crowd to stay seated.

But it was during their ment that the group truly won over the Malaysian audience.

The members introduced themselves in Bahasa Melayu, immediately earning an enthusiastic response. YECHAN then took things a step further by adopting one of Malaysia’s favourite expressions, “mantap”, to praise everything from the country, his fans to his own group. 

He uttered cheerfully: “Mantap! Malaysia mantap! 82DEs mantap! 82MAJOR mantap!” The simple but effective interaction had the arena roaring, showcasing just how comfortably 82MAJOR connected with their Malaysian fans.

They closed their set with wyd, Passport and 82, bringing back the group’s signature playful, energetic and high-tension performance style. The members kept the crowd hyped throughout, with the energy reaching such a fever pitch that some even shed their outer layers on stage.

If there was one word to describe 82MAJOR’s set, it was undoubtedly mantap.

KISS OF LIFE Delivers a Show-Stopping Finale

Then came the moment many fans had been waiting for. Known for their bold concepts, magnetic stage presence and viral hits, KISS OF LIFE took to the stage as the final performers of the night, and they certainly did not disappoint.

The quartet opened with SWEAT and Who is she, immediately commanding attention with their flawless choreography, confident expressions and undeniable stage presence. Despite the chilly October night in Kuala Lumpur, KISS OF LIFE looked more than ready to bring the heat to the arena.

During their ment, the members shared their excitement at finally getting the chance to perform a longer set for fans after some time, before diving straight back into the music.

And then came Igloo.

Sporting the song’s iconic sunglasses, KISS OF LIFE delivered a performance that arguably felt even more electrifying live than it does on screen. The combination of the track’s addictive beat, the members’ effortless charisma and their precise choreography had the audience erupting almost instantly.

The girls continued with WHAT!, Bad News and Midas Touch, showcasing their ability to balance femme-fatale allure with powerful performance. The atmosphere became even more charged with Chemistry and Lips Hips Kiss, both of which leaned fully into KISS OF LIFE’s mature, confident and unapologetically sensual image.

But the group also proved that their strength extends beyond performance charisma.

Their ballad Nothing offered a welcome change of pace, putting their vocal abilities in the spotlight and highlighting the versatility that has helped establish KISS OF LIFE as one of the standout groups of their generation.

For the grand finale, the girls returned to their infectious energy with Sticky.

As one of KISS OF LIFE’s signature tracks and biggest hits, the song was the perfect choice to close both their set and the night. Fans could be seen singing and jumping along in their seats as the quartet brought the arena to a high one final time.

A Night That Truly Brought the Heat

From WHIB’s sharp and polished performances to 82MAJOR’s playful crowd work and KISS OF LIFE’s effortlessly magnetic stage presence, MBC’s Idol Radio Live in Kuala Lumpur delivered a lineup that felt remarkably cohesive from beginning to end.

Each group brought something different to the table, but all three shared one key quality: they know how to work a crowd.

The event also offered Malaysian fans a memorable first — welcoming MBC’s Idol Radio to Malaysia and Southeast Asia for the very first time. With strong performances, playful interactions and plenty of fan-favourite songs, the night proved that the Malaysian K-pop audience is more than ready to welcome even more large-scale K-pop events in the future.

And if the roaring cheers at Inspire Live Arena were anything to go by, this certainly should not be the last time Idol Radio brings its heat to Malaysia.

Thank you iMe Malaysia for the media invite!

Written by: Stella Chung
Photos by: iMe Malaysia

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